Ontario’s College Enrollment Up nearly 6% in 2010

Numbers released by Colleges Ontario show that enrollment at Ontario’s colleges grew by 5.9% last year.

“Students continue to recognize the tremendous value of the career-oriented education and training provided at Ontario’s public colleges,” said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “Business and industry are demanding innovative, technically skilled workers and colleges are listening. So students know they will be graduating to good jobs.”

Over 210,000 full-time students were enrolled in Ontario college programs in the fall of 2010, compared to 198,000 students last year. Overall, enrollment in Ontario has grown 25.6% over the last four years. 2009 saw a 13.2% increase over 2008’s numbers of 175,204, and 2008 saw a 4.8% increase over 2007’s enrolment of 167,170.

2010 also saw an enormous spike in international student enrollment in Ontario. There was a 47.8% increase in international students attending Ontario colleges, with 14,576 full-time international students, compared to 9,861 in fall 2009.

Franklin estimates in 10 years, at least 70% of all jobs will require postsecondary education.

“It will be important to ensure resources are in place to produce the educated workforce Ontario will need to strengthen its economy,” said Franklin.